Coach Chris Davis

2015 ASCA Hall of Fame Inductee

Coaching Since: 1977

SwimAtlanta

Chris Davis co-founded SwimAtlanta in 1977 with 28 swimmers and one location. From there, the team has grown to seven locations with 2,800 swimmers. In addition, they are teaching 21,000 sets of swimming lessons a year.

SwimAtlanta won 9 Junior National Championships from 1985 to 1998 and has been in the Top 10 at Senior Nationals over 20 times. In 2008, they won the 18 & under National Championship. Chris Davis has coached four swimmers who won individual events at Senior Nationals: Mary Ellen Blanchard, Eric Shanteau, Amanda Weir, and Brock Newman.

SwimAtlanta has produced 5 Olympians: Kathleen Hersey, Eric Shanteau, Amanda Wier, Doug Gjertsen, and Hans Dersch. All five Olympians came up through the SwimAtlanta program as age groupers, while only two who made the team while being coached by Chris Davis (Hans Dersch and Amanda Weir). Chris Davis coached Amanda Weir to many age group national titles, including the first 14 and under girl to break 50 seconds for the 100 yard free. He also coached her to two American Records in the 100 meter free (2006 & 2008). Amanda Weir still holds those records today.

Chris Davis has served on five International trip as part of the coaching staff. He has coached the Short Course World China, Long Course Pan Pac’s, Dual in the pool Manchester, Dual in the pool Atlanta, and served as head coach of the National Junior Team trip to Japan. Coach Davis coached 19 swimmers to top 8 finishes at Senior Nationals and has coached one swimmer to rookie of the meet at Senior National (Hans Dersch). In addition, he has had two swimmers make the team for their countries: Shelly Cramer (Virgin Islands) and Alan Marsch (Jamaica).